Our Take: Embodying regeneration and coaching for the future of ecological well-being

ICF Thought Leadership Institute Executive Director/VP Alicia Hullinger, PhD, introduces the inspiration for the series on ecological well-being and the future of coaching.

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What’s your take?

Beyond Green: Elevating Ecological Well-Being in Coaching Practice

In a world where the urgency of environmental sustainability grows by the day, the concept of regeneration emerges as a signal of hope. Regeneration goes beyond sustainability AND actively restores and revitalizes our planet for future generations. In a regenerative world, ecosystems thrive, and every individual and collective action contributes to the well-being of the planet. This is the vision of regeneration. Regeneration is about shifting from a mindset of depletion to one of abundance, where we work in harmony with nature to create a sustainable future.

What if we integrate regenerative principles into coaching? Let’s find out! This month, as we delve into “Beyond Green: Elevating Ecological Well-Being in Coaching Practice,” we go on a journey to understand why regeneration is the future, why coaching plays a pivotal role, and what it means for the future of coaching.

Sustainability professionals bring to the table a wealth of knowledge about global and local issues, standards to be achieved, and the application of best practices. However, solving issues of sustainability requires more than technical capability. This is where coaching comes into play as a development tool and resource, empowering individuals to explore problems and find their own best solutions through curiosity, powerful questioning, and advanced active listening skills. Collaboration, communication, and mindful planning, along with technical knowledge, are key to problem-solving for ecological well-being.

In our Trend article, The Future of Coaching: Nurturing ecological well-being through regeneration, we examine the pivotal role of coaching in fostering a sustainable AND regenerative future. Ecological well-being is influenced by trends such as circular economies, conscious consumption, and technological innovation. As a framework for solutions, regeneration guides sustainable practices toward restoring and enhancing ecosystems, communities, and overall well-being. Integrating this mindset into practice, coaching emerges as a catalyst for promoting planetary health. Through regenerative principles and nature-based coaching frameworks, coaches guide individuals towards sustainable, regenerative practices and resilience, equipping them with the tools to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world.

In our Spotlight article, we highlight the innovative and emerging practice of Climate Change Coaching. This transformative approach equips sustainability leaders with coaching skills tailored for climate-conscious endeavors, fostering resilience and catalyzing transformative partnerships. Climate Change Coaching goes beyond traditional coaching boundaries, addressing the urgent need to combat the climate crisis while emphasizing the profound connection between personal well-being and environmental health.

Coaches must also confront the pervasive issue of climate anxiety, as highlighted in our Primer, A Coaching primer to climate anxiety: Tools for climate empowerment. By acknowledging clients’ fears and cultivating resilience through a futures-thinking approach, coaches empower individuals to navigate uncertainty and envision sustainable futures amid climate-related concerns.

Similarly, our Primer, A coaching primer to ecological well-being, emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between human wellness and planetary health. By integrating sustainability goals and fostering pro-environmental behaviors, coaches guide clients toward a holistic perspective on ecological well-being.

Finally, our Insight article, Healing the self, healing the earth: The role of inner development in climate restoration, underscores the vital role of coaches in supporting sustainability leaders’ inner development. Through strategies to combat climate anxiety and prioritize self-care, coaches empower individuals to engage sustainably with environmental challenges, fostering resilience and meaningful impact in the pursuit of climate restoration and environmental justice.

Now, let’s consider the role of coaching in this regenerative journey. Coaching is not just about personal development; the heart of coaching is about transformation — both individual and systemic.

Picture a coaching session where clients explore their values and aspirations, not just for themselves but for the planet. Imagine sustainability professionals who delve into complex challenges, guided by a coaching approach that fosters deep introspection and innovative problem-solving by focusing on BOTH individual actions and collective impact. By integrating regenerative principles into coaching practice, coaching empowers clients to align their actions with their environmental values, fostering a sense of purpose and agency in creating positive change. Coaching can cultivate a sense of shared responsibility and empower individuals and organizations to take meaningful action toward a regenerative future.

So, what are the implications for the future of coaching? Shifting towards regeneration means that coaching must evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. Focusing solely on personal goals is not enough; the profession must also consider the broader implications of individual and collective actions on the planet. This means increasing ecological literacy, integrating sustainability and regeneration into coaching frameworks, and leveraging technology to model regenerative practices.

Ultimately, the future of coaching is intertwined with the future of our planet. By embracing regeneration, coaches can create a world where ecological well-being thrives and all beings flourish. The future is now. Coaching is a catalyst for change, where every session is an opportunity to nurture personal growth AND the health of our planet.

Together, let’s shape a future where purposeful growth and purposeful living are the cornerstones of human flourishing.

Alicia Hullinger, Ph.D.
25 March 2024

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Beyond Green: Elevating Ecological Well-Being in Coaching Practice Creative Team

Genevieve Feliú, PhD, United States

Catherine Galli, MPH, United States

Alicia Hullinger, PhD, United States

Megan McCarthy, Spain

Amy Meverden, PhD, United States

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Thank you to our contributors

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